Nats come through with two-out hits to down Braves in 11 innings

ATLANTA -- The Washington Nationals are playing as if they were contenders the last week of the season, not the team that has the worst record in the majors.

Justin Maxwell hit a two-out, two-run homer in the 11th inning and the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 6-4 Saturday for their sixth straight victory.

The Nationals still have a dismal record at 58-103, but have beaten the Braves, who have lost five in a row, three consecutive times.

Maxwell hit a game-ending grand slam off the Mets' Francisco Rodriguez in the bottom of the ninth inning of a 7-4 win over New York on Wednesday.

"He's making some strikes. It's like he's kind of found something," Washington manager Jim Riggleman said of Maxwell, who is hitting over .300 since his recall on Aug. 30 from Syracuse.

After both teams scored two runs in the 10th, Pete Orr singled with one out in the top of the 11th and moved up on a sacrifice. Maxwell followed with his fourth homer, a drive over the right-field fence against Manny Acosta (1-1).

"Jim told me after Orr's hit that he was going to sacrifice and just wanted me to drive him in. To just look for a pitch and hit it and I got one," Maxwell said.

"I'm just trying to do my job. Not do too much. Just put the ball in play. It felt good. This game is all about confidence. There's nothing to think about when you're in the box. Just hit the ball," he said.

Zack Segovia (1-0) earned his first win despite giving up two runs in the 10th. Atlanta tied it at 4 on an RBI double by pinch-hitter Kelly Johnson and run-scoring single by pinch-hitter Greg Norton.

Jurrjens went eight innings, gave up five hits and struck out nine. Washington starter Ross Detwiler went five innings and allowed one hit, a bunt single to Nate McLouth leading off the game.

Game notes

Atlanta OF Matt Diaz's season ended when he had a cyst removed from his infected right thumb after Friday night's game. ... Washington OF Willie Harris left the game in the fifth inning with a strained right oblique. ... The Nationals are 4-0 when Desmond homers. ... Jurrjens has allowed 2 earned runs or fewer in 26 of his 34 starts.